Perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings among adults living with obesity

A cross‐sectional investigation of the relationship with patient characteristics and person‐centred care

Bibliographic Data

ID19509024
AuthorsPaige I Crompvoets (0000-0002-1787-0892, Department of Socio‐Medical Sciences Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands, corresponding author), Anna P Nieboer (0000-0002-9676-0607, Department of Socio‐Medical Sciences Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands), Elisabeth F C van Rossum (0000-0003-0120-4913, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands), Jane M Cramm (0000-0001-5367-3207, Department of Socio‐Medical Sciences Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands)
Year2024
Volume27
Issue1
Pagese13954-e13954
Publication date2024-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.13954
PMID39102661
OpenAlexW4390915810
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited40

INTRODUCTION: Patients living with obesity often experience weight stigma in healthcare settings, which has worrying consequences for their healthcare experiences. This cross-sectional study aimed to: (1) provide an overview of stigmatising experiences in healthcare settings reported by adults living with varying classes of obesity, (2) identify associations among patient characteristics and perceived weight stigma and (3) investigate the association between perceived weight stigma and person-centred care (PCC). METHODS: ; n = 40) completed measures of perceived weight stigma in healthcare settings and PCC. Descriptive, correlational and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of patients living with classes I, II and III obesity, 41%, 59% and 80%, respectively reported experiences of weight stigma in healthcare settings. Younger age, greater obesity severity and the presence of chronic illnesses were associated with greater perceived weight stigma. Greater perceived weight stigma was associated with lower PCC. CONCLUSION: The results of this study emphasise the significant role of weight stigma in the healthcare experiences of patients living with obesity. Reducing weight stigma is expected to improve PCC and the overall quality of care for these patients. Minimising weight stigma will require efforts across various healthcare domains, including increasing awareness among healthcare professionals about sensitive communication in weight-related discussions. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION: Our sample consisted of patients living with obesity. Additionally, patients were involved in the pilot testing and refinement of the PCC instrument

Body mass index · Cross-sectional study · Family medicine · Health care · Obesity · Overweight · Psychiatry · Social stigma · Weight loss · Weight stigma · Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity and Health Practices · Psychology · Gerontology